Attendance
in those days was considered "good" when 50 people were present. But
as time passed, and the congregation grew, the people of Macedonia felt they
should have weekly Sunday services. This was in 1948.
With
the church growth, more room was needed. The following letter was sent to the
congregation in 1948:
Dear
Member and Friend of Macedonia Christian Church
For
fifty three years the church building at Macedonia has been used without any
material physical change as a center of Gospel training. Many people have
attended during that period of time. Many have gone out to other places to
serve, who are proud to say, "My early training was received at Macedonia.
In
recent years the building has been inadequate to provide sufficient space to
handle the attendance in Sunday School classes. One hundred people or more in
six classes in one room at one time can not properly receive religious
instruction. Other changes are a necessity, particularly the baptistry. To meet
the growing need of additional space and other improvements, we must take action
soon.
The
congregation and its elected officers have been giving careful study to this
problem for more than a year. The building committee has unanimously approved
plans for expansion; The congregation has endorsed them by majority vote of
those present at the business sessions. It is the general consensus of opinion
that we proceed to build.
In
order to finance this proposal, we will be requited to raise in cash about
$16,000.00. All members and friends are requested to consider the urgent need
for support of the enterprise and when contacted make a generous contribution.
Together we can do it. We are depending on you!
Finance Committee
Sunday
School Addition
In
1950, the plans for Sunday School rooms and a new baptistry were approved. The
sanctuary was remodeled and redecorated also. While this addition was being
built, services were held at the then vacant church at Scipio.
Dedication
services for that first addition were held on May 28, 1950. Rev. Walter E. Mill,
former pastor, delivered the sermon.
Trustees
Fred Mabis, Harry Hillman, Howard Cleaver, Glenn Hiler, Albert McNally, and
Board Chairman Lee Oyler formed the building commitee.
In
1955, Rev. Stuart Mill, who had so ably lead the congregation for 24 years,
resigned to accept a call to the Bromley Ky., Christian Church where his father
had a1sQPli!;storedJormany years.
From 1955-56, Rev. Paul Hartenberger, was called to
serve at Macedonia. It was in April of 1955, that Rev. Hartenberger suggested
that a dime for each of the 40 days of Lent be saved by the parishioners. This
was the start of the Macedonia Building Fund. It was during this period of time
that Sunday evening services were stopped.
In
1957, Rev. James Landes, accepted the call to minister at Macedonia. In February
of that year, he suggested, and the board approved, that the first Sunday of
every month be made Building Fund Sunday, to help increase the fund.
Plans
were made in November 1958 to build much needed Sunday School rooms, an
auditorium, a kitchen and restrooms. A building committee was appointed. Members
of that committee were: Marion Bennett, Gordon Cleaver, Harry Garner, Harry
Hillman, Karl Wendel and Lee Oyler.